The BEST shops in the Boston Area - Poll Results - You picked them!

[Greg Hiller]

Total responses to the survey that could be confirmed to be members of the BRS, and not working for, or owning a shop - 88
One person did not answer the question for location, so their data was excluded from the listing broken down by geographical region.

The survey consisted of a list of questions (see below) with the option to list any of 60 local shops that carry marine fish/invertebrates within a 2 hour driving distance of Boston as measured by Mapquest. No exceptions were allowed for shops alllllmost that close.

I want to thank everyone again who took the survey. I think the results are very interesting, and will go a long way to steer folks toward quality shops in the Boston area, depending upon what they are looking for, and what they consider valuable in a shop (customer service, selection, health of critters, etc.)

The qustions and responses are below. Remember that each 1st place ranking by a participant earned the shop 5 points, each 2nd place ranking earned 3 points, and each 3rd place ranking earned 1 point. The rank order for each question is listed, as is the total points received. Obviously, a shop earning a very high ranking compared to other shops should be considered truely outstanding for whatever category is being considered. The shops are listed in order 1-3 for each category, and the shop in 4th place gets H.M. (Honorable Mention).

For the listings by geographical location the following number of people listed themselves from each region:

WITHIN 10 MILES OF CENTER OF BOSTON - 17
NORTH OF BOSTON - 29
WEST OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 25
SOUTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 16



FIRST THE OVERALL DATA - FROM 88 RESPONDERS:


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 134
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH -93
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 86
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 77

Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 154
2. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 121
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 100
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 80

Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 143
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 105
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 90
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 85

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 146
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 110
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 97
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 75

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 127
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 90
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA -84
H.M. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 58


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 95
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 84
Tie for 3rd. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 66, Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 66

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 154
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 59
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 57
H.M. All Things Fishy, Marlborough, MA - 38

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem - NH - 140
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 97
3. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 69
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 55

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 128
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 113
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 82
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 54

Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 145
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 113
3. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 85
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 82

 

[Greg Hiller]

South Of Boston Responses

SOUTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES (16 listed themselves as 10 or more miles south of Boston):

Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 25
2. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 15
3. Rumford Pets, Providence, RI - 12
H.M. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 10

Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 15
3 way tie for 2nd, all with 14: Lovely Pets, Quincy, MA, Rumford Pets, Providence, RI, Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA

Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 33
2. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 13
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 11
H.M. Rumford Pets, Providence, RI - 9

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 38
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 13
3. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 11
H.M. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 8

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 21
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 18
3. Rumford Pets, Providence, RI -13
H.M. Fintastic Fish, Plainville, MA - 11


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 35
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 11
3. Lovely Pets, Quincy, MA - 7
H.M. Rumford Pets, Providence, RI - 6

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 23
Tie for 2nd. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 13 Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 13
3. Rumford Pets, Providence, RI - 11


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 19
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 17
3. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 16
H.M. Lovely Pets, Quincy, MA - 11

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 21
2. Lovely Pets, Quincy, MA - 14
3. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 14
H.M. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 10

Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 29
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 15
Tie for 3rd. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 8, Lovely Pets, Quincy, MA - 8

 

[Greg Hiller]

West Of Boston Responses

WEST OF BOSTON RESPONSES (25 listed themselves as 10 or more miles WEST of Boston):


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 36
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 31
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 30
H.M. Beacon Aquarium, Worcester, MA - 22


Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 52
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 38
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 32
4. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 21


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 43
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 27
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 18
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 17



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 41
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 30
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 19
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 17



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 29
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 23
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 16
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 15


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 32
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 24
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 17
H.M. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 15


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best


1. All Things Fishy, Marlborough, MA - 37
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 32
3. Beacon Aquarium, Worcester, MA - 22
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 20


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 32
Tie for 2nd. Beacon Aquarium, Worcester, MA - 27, Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 27
3. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 26


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. 1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 29
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 24
3. Beacon Aquarium, Worcester, MA - 23
H.M. All Things Fishy, Marlborough, MA - 20


Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 35
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 29
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 25
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 17

 

[Greg Hiller]

North Of Boston Responses

NORTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES (29 listed themselves as 10 or more miles NORTH of Boston):

Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 79
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 62
3. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 28
H.M. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 23


Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 94
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 45
3. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 29
H.M. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 23


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 94
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 53
3. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 23
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 18


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 83
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 44
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 19
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 15


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 75
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 51
3. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 35
H.M. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 24


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 53
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 32
3. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 20
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 11



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 99
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 27
3. Petco, Peabody, MA - 13
H.M. Everything Reef.com, Peabody, MA - 11



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 82
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 40
3. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 19
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 16



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 86
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 67
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 15
H.M. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 12


Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 92
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 69
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 16
H.M. SeaWorld Pet Center, Salem, NH - 14

 

[Greg Hiller]

Within 10 Miles Of Center Of Boston Responses

WITHIN 10 MILES OF CENTER OF BOSTON (17 listed themselves as within 10 or miles of center of Boston):


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 37
2. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 31
3. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 16
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 15


Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 33
Tie for 2nd. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 28, Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 28
3. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 16



Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 44
2. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 20
3. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 16
H.M. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 14



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 48
Tie for 2nd. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 21, Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 21
3. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA -16



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1.Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 38
2. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 19
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 12
H.M. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 10



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 34
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 18
3. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 15
H.M. Fin and Feather, Groton, CT - 10



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 24
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 23
3. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 17
H.M. Petco, Peabody, MA - 8



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 37
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 25
3. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 19
H.M. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 5



Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 39
2. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 19
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 18
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 15



Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 34
2. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 20
3. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 19
H.M. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 16

 

[Greg Hiller]

Hope ya liked it.

 

[scavdog]

Great job on this Greg!

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Thanks for the results Greg

Looks good, I guess people tend to shop in their own neighborhood so to speak

 

[seahorse1]

Excellent job Greg!! I have never been to Coral Reef Aquarium but looks like I am gonna have to defin check them out!

 

[aquamom]

Nicely done!

 

[Moe_K]

Good deal. Thanks for putting this together, Greg, and thanks to all who responded. Congrats to the superior stores in our area.

 

[GinaD]

Hmmm. So out of 50 questions, Aquarium Gallery made it in 36 of them. Not bad! (14 #1's, 12 #2's, 5 #3's & 5 HM's)

 

[Firefish]

thank you greg!

 

[go4broke44]

what, no petco!? haha

 

[Greg Hiller]

>what, no petco!? haha<

You had to ask didn't you:

In the Northern folks responses:

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 99
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 27
3. Petco, Peabody, MA - 13
H.M. Everything Reef.com, Peabody, MA - 11

 

[emabie]

This is great info as I am still learning where the good shops are, I guess I really have to get up and see Aquarium Gallery now.
Thanks for putting this together.

 

[Chris L]

wow thanks greg that certainly looks like it was alot of work. great job

 

[OceanGuy]

Thanks for doing this

Great Job. A nice list when one is looking for things nearby.
Thanks for taking the time to collate the results.

Hope ya liked it.

 

[waltm]

Thanks Greg, I'm sure it took a lot longer to put this together than it did for us to answer the poll, awsome job!

After hearing everyone talk about the great pet shops up north its nice to know some of the ones close to me are so well regarded. I still have to make a trip to the others some day

 

[DLCanuck]

Thanks for the results Greg

Looks good, I guess people tend to shop in their own neighborhood so to speak

I agree with Dave, Specialty with the gas price, it make it little difficult to go far and check out others local fish store.